Donor gives $30,000 for park
By RON LARSEN Journal Staff WriterNEW ULM - A local resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, has offered to donate up to $30,000 to enlarge and spruce up Cottonwood River Beach Park, that 2.1-acre patch of ground at the south end of the Cottonwood Street bridge, Park and Recreation commissioners learned Monday.
They also were told the department's share of the city's "un-allotment" of Local Government Aid totaled about $60,000, and Director Tom Schmitz said he has prepared three "cut" scenarios, 5 percent, 10 percent and 15 percent, for 2009.
So, it appears the only significant park development in 2009 might be the improvements to the Cottonwood River Beach Park because a benefactor will be picking up the tab.
As Schmitz noted, "the only development in the park [at present] is a small gravel parking lot adjoining the river and a small set of steps providing carry-in access to the river for canoes, inner tubes and small boats." And, the two adjacent parcels of land "have willing sellers," Schmitz told the commission.
"The Sperl parcel totals approximately 3.1 acres and is located north of the existing park. Purchase price is $6,200. The Eicher parcel is located west of the park and totals approximately 9.8 acres. Purchase price is $14,700," Schmitz said.
"The existing park and the property proposed for purchase are located in the flood plain. As a result, the park will remain a passive natural area and development activities will likely be limited to a gravel entrance road and parking lot; non-motorized, circular, natural surface trail; access to the river; shore fishing areas; benches; picnic tables; historical/memorial plaque, and possibly a small open mini-shelter," Schmitz said.
He estimates those minimal developments will cost $9,100. The one caveat to the donation is that the "donor is requesting the three parcels collectively be named Adams Park," Schmitz said.
Cutting 5 percent of the $2.9 million department budget would amount to $146,362 in cuts while a 10 percent cut would amount to $292,000. A 15 percent cut then would amount to $438,362. Give or take a few grand.
When asked by a commissioner where the department is at [as far as the impending 2009 cuts are concerned], Schmitz said "we're kind of on a spending freeze, and we won't be doing any unnecessary spending because we anticipate not finding out [about 2009 LGA cuts] until after the first quarter [of the city's fiscal year]."
The commission also got a briefing from former New Ulm Heritage Preservation Commission chairperson Anne Makepeace about the Kiesling Park plan developed by preservation consultant Dan Hoisington, and Schmitz told the commission that he still was working on getting possibly a non-profit tenant for the now vacant house.
Ron Larsen can be reached at rlarsen@nujournal.com
